A MotoGP writer relocated from the US to Tuscany after finishing the main renovation of a long-empty six-bedroom villa and moving in by November 2024.
The move followed years of frequent flights from Phoenix to mostly European races; Tuscany offered a quieter base within reach of Florence airport and the Italian Grand Prix.
About €45,000 bought the neglected three-story property after negotiations and legal work, but making it livable required several months of construction and roughly €150,000 more in budget.
Major work included replacing wiring, plumbing and the roof, while preserving original features such as tiled floors and balustrades; the author also helped on site between race assignments.
The result has cut travel strain and deepened community ties in village life, though language remains a hurdle eased by Google Translate and patient neighbors.